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What Makes a Classic, Classic?

What makes classic literature classic? Many definitions have been given historically and

contemporarily, and multiple authors have given their own definitions of it. Through studying

the works of literature that are considered classic, each reader must ask and determine for

themselves, what is classic literature? This oft pondered question that cannot be easily answered

because of its basis in opinion rather than fact, is nevertheless important to the student of

literature.

History of “Classics”

To begin with, it is important to know the definition of the word “classic”. According to

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a classic is something that is “traditional or enduring”. The word

classic has been used from the time of the Romans until today to describe the works in art,

philosophy, and literature of the people of antiquity, or the ancient Greeks. The Romans only had

the ancient Greeks to look to for examples and they tried to imitate their style in all of their

artistic endeavors. The works that they accomplished have been given the name classic because

of their enduring quality and workmanship. What makes it enduring? Since the time of the

ancient Greeks and Romans their architecture, art, and literature have been lauded as works of

greatness and have been emulated the world over. Because the works of the greats have been

imitated throughout modern art and architecture and are still regarded as the best, they are

remembered. The same can be said for classic literature.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the works of antiquity became an important part of

the style of the Renaissance, particularly the Italian Renaissance. One author that was canonized

during the Renaissance, and is often considered the father of modern Italian because of his

influence on the Italian language, is Dante Alighieri. From the moment that his work Inferno was

published for the general populace is was considered a classic because it emulated the work of
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antiquity. In way, Dante can be considered the Italian Shakespeare for the way that he influenced

the Italian language and is still remembered as the greatest Italian writer. Dante fit the traditional

definition of classic from antiquity.

Modern Definition of Classic Literature and Why it Endures

Perhaps the foremost authority on the definition of classic literature is Charles Augustin

Sainte-Beuve, a literary critic from the mid-nineteenth century, who wrote an article entitled:

“What Is a Classic?” Saint-Beuve revolutionized the way that literary critics look at literature by

not only judging if a work of literature was good or bad, but by judging it by looking at it

through historical, ethical, and philosophical viewpoints. He wanted to make readers of literature

think for themselves rather than follow the opinions of the masses. His opinion on the definition

of a classic is no different. He first states what he considers the traditional idea of what a classic

is. He states, “A classic, according to the usual definition, is an old author canonised by

admiration, and an authority in his particular style.” This idea fits the early definitions of what

makes a classic. But not all old works have become classics or even been remembered.

According to Saint-Beuve, there has to be something else, something significant about a work of

literature that is the determining factor on whether or not it will be remembered.

Although the traditional definition of what makes a classic, classic is correct it does not

always explain the draw that readers continue to have for classic literature or why that work in

particular is remembered above all others. Saint-Beuve had his own opinion of what truly made a

classic. He states,

“A true classic, as I should like to hear it defined, is an author who has enriched the

human mind, increased its treasure, and caused it to advance a step; who has discovered

some moral and not equivocal truth, or revealed some eternal passion in that heart where
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all seemed known and discovered; who has expressed his thought, observation, or

invention, in no matter what form, only provided it be broad and great, refined and

sensible, sane and beautiful in itself; who has spoken to all in his own peculiar style, a

style which is found to be also that of the whole world, a style new without neologism,

new and old, easily contemporary with all time.”

In essence, one idea of why classic literature continues to endure is because it is able to truly

share something special with the reader; whether that be in their heart or in their head is up to the

reader. Classic literature is not something that can be easily forgotten. It is meant to make the

reader think outside of their own tangible sphere so that they can step into an intangible one. This

is the reason why literature can be so effective in inciting action. Literature that does not cause

the reader to ponder and reflect upon the world around them is hardly remembered as anything

but a nice story, and can therefore never be considered a classic.

In accordance with this traditional view many examples come to mind. For instance,

William Shakespeare is known for the many plays that he wrote. The main thing that sets

Shakespeare apart from many of his contemporaries is that fact that not only was he famous

during his lifetime, he continues to be the most celebrated playwright in history. Another thing

that sets his plays apart and has helped them to endure is the relatable quality of his stories and

characters. Although many of the circumstances are widely exaggerated, such as in The Comedy

of Errors, the circumstances are relatable even if it is just to the point that the reader is glad that

such misfortune has not befallen them. A more contemporary example of a work of literature that

has been called a classic is the stories of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. Most people

can in some way relate to either Holmes and his incredible genius or Watson and his steady

companionship. But even if they cannot relate to either character, they still can appreciate the
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fact that they are able to take part in such an incredible adventure. These examples have become

a classic in part because of their popularity, but mainly because of their enduring and relatable

quality. A classic has to endure.

In his book ABC of Reading Ezra Pound made an excellent point about what makes

classic literature enduring. He said, "A classic is classic not because it conforms to certain

structural rule, or fits certain definitions (of which its author had quite probably never heard). It

is classic because of a certain eternal and irrepressible freshness." (13-14) It is this freshness that

Pound speaks of that makes a classic memorable. With all literature that is considered classic

there are multiple ways of interpreting it. For example, Shakespeare’s Hamlet is lauded as one of

the greatest plays of revenge that has ever been written. At the initial reading of Hamlet it is easy

to see all of the characters as despicable and non-redemptive, but every time that a person reads

and rereads Hamlet they begin to see how genius and relatable each of the characters are in the

end. Thus, this work of literature has taken on new meaning and will continue to do so with each

reading. That is what makes literature fresh: the ability to make the reader think and discover

new aspects about human nature that they previously did not, or could not understand.

Distinctions of “Classic”

In slight contrast with the essay by Saint-Beuve, T.S. Eliot, one of the great social critics

of our time, gave an address also entitled, “What is a Classic?” In his address, although he

largely agrees with Saint-Beuve, he makes particular distinctions between the different uses of

the word “classic” and even argues that the word is overused. Satirically he states, “to call any

work of art ‘classical’, implies either the highest praise or the most contemptuous abuse,

according to the party to which one belongs.” (9) It is true that at times classic literature is

remembered by some because they have some sort of distain for it or it is otherwise
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controversial. For example, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is considered

one of the greatest works of American Literature. However, it is not often read in schools

because many have found Twain’s use of racist epithets offensive and unfit for children to read.

It is ironic that such a great work of fiction is excluded from schools because of something that

was in fact culturally accepted at the time that it was written. In the definition given by T.S. Eliot

this great work by Twain fits both categories; it is lauded as great, but does receive a lot of

“contemptuous abuse”. (9)

Interestingly, in his address, Eliot felt the need to make distinctions between the different

eras of classical literature. He makes the point that although each period has its own distinct

style, cultural limitations, and language, that when combined together creates a more powerful

genre of what classical literature is. Because of this he makes the point that when a reader is

judging literature they must keep in mind that every writer is somehow limited or influenced by

the culture in which they are surrounded. Shakespeare, he states, continued to develop and

change his writing style as he aged, and his writing heavily influenced what followed it. Because

of one man and his mastery of language and his influence on others through his writing, the

whole Elizabethan era was changed. Another example that was previously mentioned is Dante.

Like Shakespeare, the writings of Dante have influenced many parts of the Italian culture and

changed the way that people wrote during and after the Renaissance. (11)

Another distinction that must be considered when trying to define what is and what is not

classic literature is not just the national culture, as stated by Eliot, but societal culture as well.

For example, in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints one book that

could be considered a classic is Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmadge. This is a book that a

great majority of LDS members have in their homes and is even included in the official
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missionary library of the church. Although this book is widely regarded by the church as a great

work of genius, to anyone outside of the church’s membership, it is just another religious book

that means very little to them. Therefore, when trying to establish a definition of what classic

literature is, one must remember the influence that different societal cultures have on the

definition of what is classic literature.

Will Modern Literature Ever be Classic?

When thinking about what makes literature classic, it is common to reflect upon the

works of literature that are popular today. When looking at the literature of today the main thing

that must be considered is if the work makes the reader think. If the author can manage to do

that, and use themes that are enduring, they will be able to have their writing numbered among

that of the great writers of the past. Although there are some gems of literary genius among dirty

pebbles of forgettable writing, it is likely that much of the popular literature of today will not be

remembered or mentioned in the literature classes of tomorrow. The probable reason for this is

that many of these works of literature do no follow either the traditional definition of literature or

the opinion of Saint-Beuve. There are only a select few that will ever truly be remembered in

generations to come.

A few examples of modern literature that has already become classic literature is the

brilliant writings of J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. J.R.R Tolkien is primarily known for his epic

stories of Middle Earth. Walter Ong, Professor of Humanities at St. Louis University, wrote an

article entitled, “Why the critics must recognise Lord of the Rings as a classic” in which he gave

specific reasons why The Lord of the Rings constitutes as classic literature. In all of the

symbolism and detail that Tolkien put into his writing, as well as the medieval style with which

he took reference from, he created a story and characters that are and will continue to be relatable
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to people from all walks of life. Ong explains that, “His [Tolkien’s] images are universal, his

myth is timeless.” Thus it endures. In much the same way, J.R.R. Tolkien’s contemporary, C.S.

Lewis, created the world of Narnia that is equally universal and timeless. Through his use of

Christian imagery and symbolism throughout that series, and his books like The Screwtape

Letters and Mere Christianity, Lewis became firmly established among the great writers of

Christian literature. The thing that these two authors had in common, besides their friendship,

was the ability to create stories that would be loved during the time that they were written, and

far into the future.

One example of a work of literature that will surely be remembered is the Harry Potter

series by J.K. Rowling. Although this series of books may not be yet able to be considered

classic literature, and may not hold up to the standards that scholars put on classic literature, it

will be remembered for the effect that it had on thousands of young readers. Many reference the

Harry Potter series when they talk about the work of literature that incited their love for reading.

There are thousands of children, adults now, who can attribute their love of literature to a story

about a young wizard that they grew to love. Harry Potter will likely become numbered among

classic literature because of the grand effect that it had on children.

Our Personal Classics

Italo Calvino, a renowned Italian literary critic, wrote a book entitled “What Makes a

Classic?” in which he gave fourteen definitions of what he considered a classic to be. Many of

the definitions that he gave reflect the ideas of authors that have previously been mentioned; that

classics are works of literature that endure. However, perhaps the most poignant of these is this:

“'Your' classic is a book to which you cannot remain indifferent, and which helps you define

yourself in relation or even in opposition to it.” Each book of literature has the ability to affect
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every individual in a unique way. Whether that book that affects that individual is considered a

classic by the scholarly definition is not important. Every time that a person picks up a work of

literature and it helps them to greater understand some aspect of life, it becomes part of their

personal collection of classic literature. Calvino stated this in an effort to provoke readers into

opening their minds to the possibility that maybe there is no real definition of what a classic is,

or how it became that way. Calvino proposes that what is and what is not classic depends solely

on the person who is reading it.

Literature has the ability to change perceptions and incite action. Some literature,

although not considered great in scholarly circles, can change a person. When reading any type

of literature, the reader had the opportunity to discover what it truly is that interests them and

makes them want to be a different person. This is what truly determines what a personal classic

is: does it touch the reader’s heart and make them want to scream, laugh, cry, or smile? Is it

something that they will remember until their dying day? If a book can cause a reader to do any

of those things, then it is a classic to them.

Conclusion

What today is considered classic literature has become so because it has endured the test

of time. The fact that today people are still reading the works of Virgil and Shakespeare is

amazing and proves their enduring qualities. However, the reader cannot always let themselves

be confined by what is defined as “classic”. They must always be mindful of the cultural

distinctions and the personal opinions about what is classic, and eventually determine for

themselves what they consider their own personal classic.

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Works Cited

Clark, Rose. "What Makes a Book a Classic?" The Guardian. N.p., 17 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Feb.

2014.

Eliot, T. S. What Is a Classic?, by T.s. Eliot. S.l.: Faber and Faber, 1944. Print.

Ong, Walter J. "Why the Critics Must Recognise Lord of the Rings as a Classic." The Telegraph.

N.p., 02 Jan. 2002. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.

Popova, Maria. "Italo Calvino's 14 Definitions of What Makes a Classic." The Atlantic. N.p., 07

July 2012. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.

Pound, Ezra. ABC of Reading, Volume 0-151, New York: New Directions (2010, ©1934).Pages

13–14

Saint-Beuve, Charles Augustin. "What Is a Classic?" Literary and Philosophical Essays. The

Harvard Classics. N.p., 17 Apr. 2001. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.